A different kind of treasure (prologue)
A/N: Something new for people to read :3 I hope you enjoy while waiting for 'A Trail of Cards' ♥
Band: Arashi
Rating: G (for now :3)
Synopsis: For a competition on saigo_no_lady Junba fic with prompt - 'a super exciting pirate/etc. AU where they fall in love and there are battles and they are both very dashing and maybe the rest of Arashi shows up'
Prologue: Chasing mermaids
Aiba closed his eyes, letting the wind sweep through his hair and the feel of the rough knotted rope clenched in his hand remind him of where he was and just what he was doing. He was finally making his journey across the sea, finally doing something he’d always wanted to do since his childhood when his parents had first brought him to their new home and he’d got his first taste of sea life. He couldn’t really remember the trip, only that it was exhilarating as a child to watch, to learn, to wonder just what else was out there across the ocean waves. A bubbling laugh slipped from Aiba’s mouth as he opened his eyes. He was ready to see for himself what else was out there now.
But this story isn’t about that. This story is about what Aiba saw once he opened his eyes and how it changed his life forever. Even though it wasn’t a big event, not in anyone else’s eyes anyway, nor was it violent, like many feared would happen if they tried to cross the seas. Because at this time the seas were owned by those who could best travel through the waves; those that could run rings around those less able to keep themselves being swept away by the tide.
“Pirates.” Aiba’s eyes widened at the ship he could make out in front of them. Tall and imposing, it seemed to darken the water much further out in front of it than Aiba even thought possible, the flag pole above the sails sporting the black flag that merchant ships feared to see. He gave a shiver at the plain black flag rippling in the wind. It could mean one of two things, one that the pirate who captained the ship wasn’t notorious enough to have their own flag known, though that was highly unlikely as they’d usually put up their flag in a raid to gain reputation. Or two, Aiba gulped, they wanted to stay anonymous for now which could mean that they were a lot more dangerous than the known pirates.
“We might be lucky.”
Aiba spun around as someone leant against the railing next to him; a toothless grin aimed his way. “What?”
“They’re heading back the way we’ve just come, back towards shore. Their cargo hold is probably already full of their loot from raids…or we can hope it is anyway.” The man next to him gulped for a second before leaning back away from the ship as it came gliding through the water beside them as if that would help him keep away.
“We can hope…” Aiba didn’t move away from the side of the ship, staring open mouthed at the other vessel as it went past, not even thinking about the consequences for his actions. Though there was a small voice in the back of his head telling him that maybe he hadn’t been ready for this voyage after all, or that he probably should have followed his motherly friends advice and gone on a ship where he at least knew the people he was sailing with. His mind came back to focus as the man next to him started humming nervously, a habit that most of the crew seemed to have - when something needed doing or wasn’t going well they’d try to raise moral with a shanty of some description - the humming calming him enough to take in what was actually on the other vessel.
A man sat on the railing of the other ship, holding on quite carelessly to the rigging as he looked at the small merchant ship in disinterest. He gave his clothing a pat down, intentionally, or so it seemed, showing off his clothing, the simple cuts of it enhanced by the obviously expensive quality of the materials that had been used and showing off the highly polished gun resting at his waist, as if he was saying we don’t have time for small fry like you.
But instead of feeling fearful at the arrogant manner of the man, it sent Aiba’s heart racing. He continued to stare at him, his eyes having not left the figure since he’d seen him, even with the man next to him nudging him to stop. Aiba blinked and suddenly the man was looking back at him instead of the rest of the crew, his eyes no longer looking disinterested. He flushed as the man looked him up and down before grinning and winking at him.
And then he was gone along with the ship.
Aiba continued staring out to sea even when the ship had disappeared on the horizon, the name of the ship engraved into his head so that he’d never forget it. The Siren’s Song. He was almost annoyed when once again the crew member brought him back to earth with one of his songs, making him turn around as he walked past him.
“You can spend your life, your jolly life, sailing on the sea.
You can search the world for pretty girls til your eyes grow weak and dim.
But don't go fishing for a mermaid, son, if you don't know how to swim.”
The man walked past him, wiping the floor as he went but he was staring at Aiba instead of his work as if his words weren’t just a normal song to keep him going.
“What do you mean?” Aiba stood up straight as the man gave him a pointed look before continuing to mop the floor. He sighed at the response before repeating himself. “What does the song mean?”
The man shrugged. “It’s just an old song; take what message you can from it.”
Aiba watched the man walk away before finally turning back to the front of the ship, staring at his destination, not feeling the same as he had on the offset of their journey. He couldn’t resist glancing back the way they’d come just once, not knowing now whether he was staring back because of what he was leaving behind or whether he was hoping to see that ship on the horizon again. But he knew in his heart that something had changed either way and he’d have to wait and figure out just exactly what that was and what exactly the old man was trying to teach him or warn him about.
Don't go fishing for a mermaid, son, if you don't know how to swim.
~~~~~~~~
“And that’s why I told you to go with a crew that you knew.”
“Well, you’re the person who knows the pirates and merchants, not me.” Aiba grumbled. It had been a few weeks since he’d made that fateful voyage and he’d found himself back at his favourite haunt once he’d landed back in his home town. A small tavern called ‘Mama Sho’s’ after its owner, or technically named after said owner had lost a bet with one of his regular customers and had to change the name of his inn as compensation. But everyone who knew the place thought the name change was a good call. Once you made friends with the owner there was no way you’d escape his motherly attitude and scolding, especially if you’d had one too many to drink while he’d been busy with other customers or if you’d done something particularly reckless on your last sea voyage and had thought to brag about it after a drink or two. And at this particular moment his maternal instinct was directed at Aiba as he relayed exactly what had happened on his first proper trip across the sea. He might have been more discreet with the details if it wasn’t for the fact that he hoped Sho would be able to help him understand what it all meant. That and well…it was hard to lie to Sho when he was giving you that worried frown.
“You know what I mean, Masaki. If you’d just let me choose what boat you went on I would have at least known you were safe. Do you know what could have happened if they hadn’t already been on their way back here?”
“Back here…” Aiba sighed, there wasn’t even a point in arguing, they were in one of the well-known pirate ports. Why his parents had chosen to move here all those years ago he didn’t know but it was actually quite a safe area. The one ‘neutral’ zone for all the pirates, even the naval ships didn’t try to make port or attack here. I wonder if he’s here somewhere. Aiba shook his head of those thoughts, a small blush forming on his face which Sho smirked at. “Anyway, what do you think the old man meant by not chasing mermaids? And I know how to swim.” He pouted, crossing his arms.
“I don’t think that’s exactly what he meant.” Sho chuckled as Aiba glared at him, wiping away at the glass in his hand. “It’s an old song about a man who doesn’t know what he’s getting himself into until it’s too late.” He gave another smile as Aiba looked confused before turning back to his other tasks, humming the song as he went.
“What? Has Masaki finally found someone?”
Aiba turned to find his best friend smirking, sliding onto the barstool next to him. “Nino?”
“He got caught up with some pirates on his way to that island.” Sho shouted over his shoulder.
“Oh, a pirate girl, huh?” Nino’s smirk widened as Aiba flushed again. “I heard the last bit of the conversation. So someone tried to warn you off her, did he?”
“That’s what he was doing?” Aiba looked from Nino to Sho who nodded along with him.
“I’d say so. I mean it’s hardly a good idea to go chasing after a pirate like a lovesick puppy is it?” Sho bit his lip to stop from laughing as Aiba protested and Nino clung onto the bar to stop himself falling off his stool where he was laughing too hard.
“Oh, you so would follow her like a love sick puppy.” Nino gave Aiba’s head a pat.
Aiba glanced at Sho, glad that he didn’t feel the need to correct Nino on the ‘her’ comment. Not that his friend would mind at all, he just knew the teasing would be that much worse. “So…” He coughed, grabbing their attention again fully. “The old man was just worried that I’d get myself into a situation I knew nothing about?”
“Exactly.” Sho smiled, relieved that he understood.
“Oh that’s easy to fix then.” Aiba stood up, grinning from ear to ear. “I’ll just become a pirate myself.”
“I don’t think that’s what he meant, Masaki.”
“Don’t worry I’ll make sure to learn properly exactly what it means to be a pirate.” Aiba gave Sho a reassuring pat on the shoulder as if that was the reason Sho was giving him such a concerned frown. “So…where’s a good place to learn?”
“Ohno’s.” Sho answered automatically without thinking it through.
“Huh, he doesn’t seem like a pirate. Doesn’t he own one of the shops around here?” Aiba smiled bemused as Sho nodded in a daze at him before darting off to ask this Ohno if he’d teach him.
“…Isn’t this exactly what he was being warned against?” Nino shook his head in bewilderment at Aiba’s logical assumption.
“Don’t pretend you’re not worried.”
“I’m not you though am I, Mama?” Nino smirked, stealing a drink from behind the counter.
“Oi, if you want that, get back to work.” Sho glared at him.
“I don’t work for you.” Nino pointed the end of the bottle at him, still smiling away.
“No, you just use my premises. Would you like to go back to busking on the street or trying to perform on a boat?” Sho grinned back at him, glad to wipe the smirk off of his face. Sometimes reminding him of his seasickness was the only way to get the brat to stop teasing.
Nino stuck his tongue out before returning to his corner, getting a few cheers as he went. Along with a few laughs once he grumbled loud enough for Sho to hear. “It may be your premises but I named it.”